This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.
Cocktail History
The Armada is a modern cocktail that was created in 2010 by Lynnette Marrero in New York City, New York. Dreamed up in celebration of Campari’s 150th anniversary, the recipe is considered a reverse Negroni variation that is made with a simple mixture of the bitter Italian liqueur, cream sherry, tequila, and grapefruit.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Campari: This is a liqueur made in Italy with gentian root, rhubarb, citrus, herbs, aromatic plants, fruit, and alcohol.
Cream Sherry: This is a type of sherry made with a blend of dry wine and sweet wine. I used Don Benigno Cream Sherry.
Tequila Blanco: This is a spirit made with unaged agave and water. I used Dulce Vida Spirits Organic Tequila Blanco.
Grapefruit Twist: This is the peel of a grapefruit that has been twisted into a corkscrew shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Mixing Glass: This is used to hold the ingredients while they’re being stirred. I used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Julep Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is stirred. I used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.
Peeler: This is used to remove the garnish peel from the citrus. I used the OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Dark and brooding bright red
• Aroma: Herbal Campari and grapefruit
• Taste: Dry taste featuring sherry nuttiness and noticeable agave and citrus notes
• Finish: Bitter yet herbal Campari with more nuttiness
Kendall’s Take
“What a really intriguing take on the Negroni template The Armada turned out to be. Instead of the usual gin and vermouth, this version leans on tequila and sherry, which brings a completely different character to the iconic drink, in my opinion. The combination with Campari creates something that’s bittersweet, lightly nutty, and surprisingly complex—a creative riff that shows how flexible the Negroni format can be even within its typical three-ingredient makeup.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was found in the book Mezcal + Tequila Cocktails: Mixed Drinks for the Golden Age of Agave by Robert Simonson.
The Armada
Description
The Armada is a modern cocktail created in 2010 by Lynnette Marrero in New York City to celebrate Campari’s 150th anniversary. A reverse Negroni, it blends Campari with cream sherry, tequila, and grapefruit for a bright, bitter twist.
Ingredients
Method
Add Campari, sherry, and tequila to a mixing glass.
Fill mixing glass with cubed ice.
Using a bar spoon, stir for 30-45 seconds until well-chilled and slightly diluted.
Using a julep strainer, strain into a Nick & Nora glass.
Express grapefruit twist over top of the glass.
Garnish with grapefruit twist.
